The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania was called to order by Chairman John J. Finnigan, Jr., at the Hanover Township Municipal Building, 3630 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017 at 7:30 P.M.
Present were Supervisors Colon, Walbert, Salvesen and Diacogiannis, Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal, and Manager Sterner.
The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.
Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Diacogiannis, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated July 26, 2005.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Diacogiannis, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated August 9, 2005 as prepared by the Secretary/Treasurer, and to enter the signed List of Bills by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Board of Supervisors as an attachment to the minutes.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was noted that no one wished to offer any comment.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Mr. Finnigan acknowledged Stacy Milo, Assistant to the Secretary/Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr. Diacogiannis had nothing to report.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board appoint Kelly Gould, 2135 Mark Twain Circle, to the Special Events Committee, term to expire January 1, 2008 and to notify the Special Events Committee of the Board’s action.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
PLANNING & ZONING
Mr. Finnigan closed the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing for the Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
Mr. Walbert noted for the record that the hearing had been duly advertised and the Secretary has received proof of publication.
After everyone who wished to speak, had spoken, the public hearing was closed and the regular meeting was re-opened.
Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve to adopt Ordinance 05-10, an amendment to the Zoning ordinance, and to authorize the Chairman and Secretary to sign the Ordinance.
ORDINANCE 05-10
AN ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ENACTING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE “HANOVER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE” AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Attorney Thomas Maloney was present to discuss Faulkner Cadillac-Chevrolet. There are going to be some changes on the original Faulkner site. The original building will be used solely for Chevrolet. There will be minor interior changes and a minor change to the front entrance of the building. They will be adding enough square footage to the service area to have enough room for six cars instead of four in the drive-thru bay. The Subaru building will become SAAB/Cadillac. The square footage will be increased but there will be no change to the impervious surface. Plans will be submitted.
Attorney Maloney discussed the petition before the Zoning Hearing Board for relief of the sign ordinance at Faulkner Subaru. There are four signs that are included in the petition. Discussed the directional sign for parts and service, the Faulkner Subaru sign is 53 square feet. The ordinance allows 42 square feet. The logo sign is 15 square feet.
The free standing sign is 24’ high double faced and square footage is 63 square feet. The ordinance permits one free standing sign with a height of 14 feet and square footage of 30 feet.
Mr. Sterner stated he is concerned with the height of the free standing sign.
Mr. Birdsall expressed his concern on the size and height of the sign. Mr. Birdsall stated that the ordinance has been in effect for a long time, some have followed the ordinance and others have gone through a variance procedure and he doesn’t believe the ordinance needs to be updated. As for the size and height, the comment was made earlier about trees blocking signs and the need for larger signs; I would ask that they show the Zoning Hearing Board what a conforming sign package would be. Mr. Birdsall also suggested the relocation of some of the trees to help with visibility.
Mr. Walbert stated he also has no problem with the parts and service sign as far as the free standing sign we have been very adamant over the years on the height of signs and would not want to yield on that. In regard to the wall signs; he has no problem with them. The Faulkner Subaru sign on the building makes sense.
Mr. Colon agreed with Mr. Walbert’s comments.
Mr. Salvesen stated the reason they are here is because we are sending representation to the Zoning Hearing meeting to enforce the sign ordinance. The bottom line is are we going to recant and not send representation. I think the signage is appropriate for the location of this site.
If there was a vote to send representation, I would vote no. The Zoning Hearing Board is its own body and they can make a decision based upon the facts.
Mr. Diacogiannis stated his thoughts began the same way as Steve’s, but they have changed. We have always sent representation to the zoning hearing meeting to enforce our ordinance. We’ve been through the sign ordinance and the lighting ordinance and have always gone back to what we had. Mr. Diacogiannis stated he has no real problem with the signs discussed, but still believe we need to send representation.
Mr. Finnigan stated he has no problem with the directional sign. The building signs, although they are 68 square feet, which is the same as it is now, do we go to the letter of the ordinance, which we probably should. In my opinion the signs are professional and match what they have. The logo sign and the Faulkner Subaru sign; I have no problem with. As for the free standing sign; I think we go with the Ordinance approach; unless anyone has a problem with that approach I will so direct the Solicitor and Engineer to represent the Township in that manner before the Zoning Hearing Board.
No one expressed opposition.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid to Schall’s Brakes & Repairs for the 1984 Chevy S-10 Pickup Truck with Cap at the bid price of $950.00; and to return the cashier’s checks to the unsuccessful bidders except the second highest bidder and to notify the successful bidder of the Board’s action.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid to Vassa Enterprises, Inc. for the 1988 GMC 1 ton Dump Truck with Fisher Plow at the bid price of $5,777.00; and to return the cashier’s checks to the unsuccessful bidders, except the second highest bidder and to notify the successful bidder of the Board’s action.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid to Vassa Enterprises, Inc. for 2 Gasboy Pumps at the bid price of $157.00; and to return the cashier’s checks to the unsuccessful bidders, except the second highest bidder and to notify the successful bidder of the Board’s action.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid to Spirk Brothers, Inc. for the 1971-72 Ford Tractor Model 3000 at the bid price of $4,099.00; and to return the cashier’s checks to the unsuccessful bidders, except the second highest bidder and to notify the successful bidder of the Board’s action.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid for the refurbishing of the Township Pool to Aqua Serve Corp. for General Contract at the bid price of $333,149.00, for extra rock excavation at the bid price of $500.00, for extra excavation for sinkhole repair at the bid price of $800.00, for extra concrete for sinkhole repair at the bid price of $1,000.00; for the total bid price of $335,449.00 and to notify Aqua Serve Corp of their successful bid.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve to award the bid to A.J. Trunzo, Inc. for the Jacksonville Road Curb & Sidewalk project at the total bid price $142,105.00; also to return the bid bonds to the unsuccessful bidders except the second lowest bid will be held until the successful bidder has all pertinent items in place, and to notify the successful bidder of the Board’s action.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Diacogiannis moved that the Board approve to adopt the following Policy concerning employee discounts at the Community Center:
POLICY 43-17
Township Employee
Memberships and Programs & Class Fees – Community Center
It shall be the policy of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township – Northampton County to treat Township Employee Memberships and Program & Class Fees ad follows;
Memberships (including pool):
Full-time employees will receive a 50% discount on Community Center memberships.
Part-time employees will receive a 30% discount on Community Center memberships.
Program & Class Fees:
All employees will receive a 25% discount.
Policy is effective August 15, 2005
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Diacogiannis moved that the Board approve to adopt the following Proclamation No. 2005-07 concerning James John Gallagher as an Eagle Scout.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON
COUNTY
PROCLAMATION NO. 2005-07
A PROCLAMATION HONORING JAMES JOHN GALLAGHER
ON THE
ACHIEVEMENT OF HIS EAGLE AWARD
WHEREAS,
James John Gallagher has achieved a significant accomplishment in life’s path
earning his Eagle Award as a member of the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy will officially receive
his award during an Eagle Presentation Ceremony on August 14, 2005 as a member
of Boy Scout Troop 352, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Roman Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy organized a
neighborhood collection for local shelters. He and his fellow scouts
distributed over 2000 flyers to homes in Hanover Township. They then collected
224 cleaning products and 22 new baby products for the 3rd St.
Alliance for Women and Children, 149 men’s coats for the Allentown Rescue
Mission, and 82 hats, gloves, and scarves for the Victory House in Bethlehem.
Also 156 children’s coats, 291 kids’ hats and gloves, 164 women’s coats, 274
women’s hats, gloves, and scarves and hundreds of pieces were also donated to
other local non-profit agencies that assist the poor; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy has exemplified the
virtues of scouting and has exhibited leadership skills as Quartermaster,
Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader; and
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED, by the Board of Supervisors of
Hanover Township, County of Northampton, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
That James
John Gallagher is applauded and recognized on the occasion of his Eagle Award
and the Board of Supervisors congratulates him for his dedication and devotion
in preserving the finest virtues of American life as set forth by the Scouting
principals. The Board of Supervisors
also proclaims Monday, August 15, 2005 as James John Gallagher Day in Hanover
Township.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Diacogiannis moved that the Board approve that any Township Employee wishing to attend the Northampton County Association of Township Officials must notify the Secretary prior to August 12, 2005.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Colon
moved that the Board reject the Owner’s request to accept the improvements for
Lot 3 in the Lehigh Valley Corporate Center Phase II. That the Township notify
the Owner/developer that the Improvements Agreement remain in effect, and to
encourage the Owner/Developer to complete all of the work found herein and to
request another inspection before September 6, 2005. That the Township request
the Owner/Developer to provide written verification that the security remains
in force or has been amended with an expiration date no sooner than September
30, 2005. That the Township authorizes the Solicitor to take appropriate action
should the Owner/developer fail to provide acknowledgement of security by
August 23, 2005 and that the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment
of Plans and Appeals Account charges).
Mr.
Walbert seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
A
discussion was held concerning the Holiday Inn Subdivision Improvements.
Mr.
Finnigan directed the Solicitor to contact Eastupland Associates concerning the
Holiday Inn 3 lot Subdivision.
Mr.
Finnigan directed the Township Solicitor to contact the Owner/Developer and to prepare
an extension to the improvements agreement for GMA.
Mr.
Finnigan directed the Township Solicitor to contact the Owner/Developer and to prepare
an extension to the improvements agreement for Northgate II.
Mr.
Finnigan directed the Secretary to send a letter to John Selko advising him
that his Letter of Credit will expire on September 3, 3005 and he needs to
provide an extension to the Letter of Credit prior to September 2, 2005 or the
Solicitor will be authorized to pull the existing Letter of Credit.
It is
noted for the record that Hanover Corporate Center II has granted the Township
an extension to October 31, 2005.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was
noted that no one wished to offer any comment.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr.
Sterner had nothing to report.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Need
motion to authorize Chairman and Secretary to sign Temporary Construction
Easement Agreement for road improvements at the intersection of Jacksonville
and Macada Road for Francis and Roberta Almer and Louis and Mary Filo.
Mr.
Salvesen moved that the board approve to authorize the Chairman and Secretary
to sign the Temporary Construction Easement Agreement for Louis and Mary Filo
and Francis and Roberta Almer.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr.
Birdsall updated the Board on a new construction schedule from Ondra Huyett for
improvements to Macada Road for Hanover Pointe and it states that all work will
be completed by the end of August.
Mr.
Finnigan directed the Engineer to make sure the schedule included the
improvements on Jacksonville Road as well.
Mr.
Birdsall reported that Jaindl is putting down the first layer of BCBC on Jaindl
Boulevard.
ROAD REPORTS
Mr.
Walbert – Road District #1, Mr. Salvesen – Road District #2, Mr. Diacogiannis –
Road District #3, Mr. Colon – Road District #4 and Mr. Finnigan – Road District
#5 and 6 had nothing to report on any district.
Mr.
Salvesen asked if we are moving along with sewer allocation request from Lower
Nazareth and Bethlehem Township.
Mr.
Sterner stated Lower Nazareth is basically up to them and they missed the
deadline.
Mr.
Finnigan stated he’s been in contact with Bethlehem Township.
Mr.
Salvesen stated he’s had several phone calls from neighbors around the Nelson
property. They’ve all had to have exterminators in their homes. The Nelson
property is being overrun with rodents and they asked that the Nelson property
be exterminated before it is torn down.
Upon
motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved adjournment
at 9:05 P.M.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Linda
J. Sterner
Secretary/Treasurer